The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-08-20
WORK OF GHOULS.
Anc Chstsworth Horror Caused by Train
wreokors, Who Rob the Dead and
Wounded

CHATswoRTH, H., Aug. 12.-To add to
the horror of the disaster at Vermilion
River, yesterday morning, is the almost
certainty that il was caused by persons
intent on robbery, who fired the bridge
Tor the purpose of wrecking the train.
Sens ational features were developed this
morning. kumors were atloat last night
that 1t WAS due to robbers who fired the
bridge, but little credence was given TO
them. This morning new facts, appar-
entity showing the catastrophe To be the
work or an organized band, came TO light
ana the company find them worthy Of
serious Investigation. Supt. Armstrong
said 10 the Associated Press reporter
that the more he investigated the
more II appeared to him that
the bridge had been set on fire.
The burned grass in the immediate To-
calty was not of Il nature that seemed
likely 10 admit of the BRIDGES catching
fire from il. He had observed many
thieves at work and had stopped them
while despoillng the wreck of property
and money. Instances of the robbing of
the dead We're being brought to his at
tentlon. The excursion had been ex-
tenslyely advertised and the time it
would pass over the bridge was well
known. Citizens say that gang of sus-
plclous fellows have been lettering
around Chatsworth for some DAYS. Many
OF these were found early at the wreck
paving more attention to relieving the
bodies Of their valuables than to caring
tor them otherwise. Trainmen and pas
sengers had frequent conten-
tionS with the vandals. In
one instance Supt Armstrong found a
thief IN the depot room where the prop
erty from the wreck was stored. While
people of the town have done all in their
power for the sufferers, there is horde
of tramps and thieves in this vicinity
who do nothing but carry off anything
they can get their hands on. The
theory that the train WAS maliciously
wrecked is strengthened by the fact
that the section men passed over the
bridge at bO'clOck and saw no signs of
lire, and that no sooner had
the accident occurred than
dozen, OF, more miscreants were
on hand who commenced to
plunder the dead and diving of every
thing of value they possessed. These
iends in human form went into the
ears when the fire was bsrning tiercelv
underneath, and when the poor
wretChes who were pinned there beg
ged them for Gods sake to help them
out, they stripped them OF their watches
and jewelry, and searched their pockets
for money. When the bodies were laid
out in the corn-felds, these hyenas
turned them over in their search for
valuables; and that plumber was done by
an organized gang was proven by the
fact that this morning out in the corn
field sixteen purses, all empty, were
found in one heap.
ha e
are about the same as the figures sent
last night. The coroner's list re-
yised, up to the time the inquest was re-
sumed to-day, tOots up seventv-six.
Notwithstanding contrary opinions ex-
pressed by the railroad officials survey
of the wreck early to-day confirmed the
belief that several bodies are still under
the debris of the smashed engines and
cars. The report yesterday that twenty
dead were at Piper City ia denied this
morning by the president of the road.
Three or four Of the wounded carried to
Piper Ity yesterday died there, how
ever, 50 that with the seventy-six on the
cOroner's list here and those supposed
to be yet under the wreck, the estimate
of eighty-four deaths appear to be very
close to the actual number
The horrors of the wreck seemed
deepening early this morning instead of
lessening. Added to the spectacle OF the
dead and the miseries of the dying
stencil siCkeningly foul was issuing from
all the numerous places where the
corpses of the victims yet remained. No
picture of the horrible occurrences i'm
mediately succeeding the accident could
equal in revolving details the scene at
the Toledo, Peoria & Western depot
here to-day. The west end of the
little structure is a coal house and
lumber room where promscuously
stretched on the floor in the coal rub
bish were seven unidentified bodies.
Blood stained, bedraggleG sheets and
blankets were thrown loosely over each
but afforded little protection from the
swarms of flies which were continually
lowering over them. The awful odOr
emanatlng from the bodies effeCtually
kept the room clear of ali but the hardi-
est of the still lingering, anxious or curl
GUS crowds. Two of the victims were
women and the sight Of their faces
was one never to be forgotten.